Soccer: 'Cocky Kiwis' on notice for crucial game

The war of words ahead of the crucial World Cup play-offs has started with Bahrain's weekly English-language newspaper Gulf Weekly proclaiming the All Whites as "Cocky Kiwis".

In a misguided attempt to attack All Whites coach Ricki Herbert and his team, the unnamed correspondent misconstrued a comment made in the Herald after the All Whites' 3-1 win over Jordan and Bahrain's 2-2 away draw with Saudi Arabia which clinched Bahrain's place in the Asia/Oceania play-off.

Under the "Cocky Kiwis" headline, it said "New Zealand believe playing Bahrain will be like 'bringing a lamb to the slaughter' ... but their naivety may backfire if the boys in red have anything to do with it".

The story referred to suggested Herbert, and these were not Herbert's words, said: "Like most, Herbert is happier that he and his players are now headed to Bahrain for next month's first leg. It promises to be a less intimidating atmosphere than they could have expected in Saudi Arabia."

Given the size of the stadiums and the expected crowds, such an assumption was natural. There was no suggestion Bahrain would be an easier opponent for the All Whites. Far from it, but the newspaper's correspondent continued to fuel the fire by quoting Bahrain coach Milan Macala who said the Kiwis' brashness will not intimidate Baaaaa-hrain's players or supporters and further adding "it's more likely to spur them on against a country that boasts nine sheep for each human". All Whites assistant coach Brian Turner has nothing but admiration for the Bahrain team.

"The Saudis had 65 per cent of the possession but could not break down Bahrain," said Turner. " ... they are a very dogged, very organised and technically gifted team with a real desire to hang in there and tough it out.

"Never were they out of the game and it needed an incredible save from the Saudi goalkeeper with 12 minutes to go to keep his side in the game. They are an Arab team playing like a European team.

"They play a simple 4-4-2 with three attacking midfielders and their talented captain who plays in front of the back four.

"We will need to be at the very top of our game but they will find the return leg difficult as teams from the Middle East as a rule don't like travelling whereas New Zealand sporting teams, given our isolation, travel well and always feel they have a bit of a chance of snatching something away from home."

Herbert is not taking anything for granted either.

"I have seen the video of the games up there and at the end of the day, Bahrain were the better team even in the first game," he said. "It was a very open, very even contest and quite free-flowing but to score two goals away in Saudi Arabia is a big effort."

In four round four away matches, Bahrain won only once - 1-0 over Uzbekistan - and lost in Japan (0-1) and Australia (0-2). They drew 1-1 in nearby Qatar. In eight matches they scored six goals of which two came in the 2-3 home loss to Japan.